Abandoned ’Gay’ Dog Escapes Death After Story Goes Viral

Elton, a dog that was supposed to be put down in Tennessee on Thursday, has been saved after its story went viral.

The dog's owner abandoned the puppy at the Jackson Rabies Control Animal Shelter in Jackson, Tenn., on Jan.29 because he thought he was gay, according to the Examiner. The owner said he saw the unnamed pitbull and American bulldog mix "hunched over" another male dog and apparently assumed the animal is gay.

Dogs humping or being "hunched over" other dogs isn't anything uncommon, however. As the Examiner points out when a dog humps another dog, it is usually a sign of dominance rather than a dog displaying its sexual orientation.

"This guy was signed over to RC, not because he's mean or because he tears things up, but because... His owner says he's gay!" the post reads. "He hunched another male dog so his owner threw him away because he refuses to have a "gay" dog! Even if that weren't the most asinine thing I've ever heard, its still discrimination! Don't let this gorgeous dog die because his owner is ignorant of normal dog behavior! He's in kennel 10L and he WILL be put down tomorrow because there is no room at the inn!"

As of this writing, the post has more than 570 "likes," 4,550 shares and 1,530 comments.

After several media outlets picked up the story, several Facebook users jumped at the chance to adopt the pooch. The Tennessean reports that one of the shelter's workers, who wished to remain anonymous, said the shelter was flooded with phone calls from people who wanted to take in the dog.

"I can't understand it," he said. "You know those dogs get on top of each other sometimes. I have had about 10 million calls this morning. It has been adopted already."

"It is gone," he added. "He's in good hands."

According to ABC News, Stephanie Fryns, a veterinary tech from Jackson, ended up adopting the dog and named him Elton. She told ABC News the she saw the dog on an adoption website and made plans to take him in before his story made its way around the web. She says Elton is 50 pounds and "was pretty friendly so far. He's pretty scared of everything, which is understandable. But he loved the car ride."

"I am adopting this big boy first thing in the morning," Fryns wrote on her Facebook. "He will be neutered/ htwm tested/ and vetted. He will be temperament tested and then places in a rescue verified and approved home."

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